Chelsea Handler slams Kevin Hart roast calling it ‘gross’ and filled with ‘disgustingness’

Chelsea Handler has publicly criticised comedians Shane Gillis and Tony Hinchcliffe over their performances during Netflix’s roast of Kevin Hart, accusing both comics of using racist and offensive material that crossed the line for her personally.

The comedian made the comments during an appearance on Deon Cole’s Funny Knowing You podcast, where discussion turned toward the controversial jokes delivered during the Netflix special. Handler said she found much of the material uncomfortable, particularly jokes involving lynching, suicide and George Floyd.

Among the moments she directly addressed was Shane Gillis’ joke referencing lynching during the roast. Handler said jokes involving racial violence were not something she considered funny, especially when directed toward Black people. She described the overall tone of the event as “gross” and filled with “disgustingness”.

Handler also criticised Tony Hinchcliffe’s joke about television personality Sheryl Underwood’s late husband, Michael Sparkman, who died by suicide in 1990. Although Underwood herself has not publicly condemned the joke, Handler said she personally found the material upsetting and inappropriate.

Another controversial moment involved Hinchcliffe referencing George Floyd during his set. The joke immediately sparked backlash online after the roast aired, with viewers debating whether the material pushed comedy into offensive territory. Social media reaction to the special became sharply divided, with some defending roast comedy as intentionally provocative while others accused Netflix of platforming harmful rhetoric.

Handler went further during the interview by alleging that messages she received from people claiming to know Gillis and Hinchcliffe described both comics as racist, sexist and bigoted. However, she did not provide evidence publicly supporting those allegations.

Shane Gillis later responded to Handler’s criticism in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter. Rather than escalating the feud directly, Gillis sarcastically congratulated Handler for capitalising on the controversy before promoting his upcoming July 17 show in Philadelphia.

At the time of publication, Tony Hinchcliffe had not publicly responded to Handler’s remarks. Representatives for the comedian reportedly did not provide comment following requests from media outlets.

The controversy has once again reignited debate surrounding the boundaries of roast comedy, especially in an era where comedians frequently face scrutiny over politically charged material. Roast events have historically relied on shock humour, insults and taboo subjects, but reactions to the Kevin Hart special suggest audiences remain divided over where the line should exist.

Netflix has increasingly leaned into live comedy events and celebrity roasts over recent years, with the Kevin Hart roast becoming one of the streamer’s most heavily discussed comedy releases of 2026 so far. Much of the online conversation following the special has focused less on Hart himself and more on the backlash surrounding Gillis and Hinchcliffe’s material.

Handler’s comments also arrive during a wider cultural discussion about comedy and accountability. While some comedians argue offensive jokes are part of the art form, critics continue questioning whether certain subjects, particularly racism, suicide and violence, should remain part of mainstream entertainment.

Despite the backlash, neither Netflix nor Kevin Hart publicly condemned the jokes featured during the roast. The special remains available on the platform.